Exploring visual journalism

Retrospective

Nearly 100 years have passed since America’s entry into World War I. On April 6, 1917, the United States Congress declared war on Germany at the behest of President Woodrow Wilson. The Baltimore Sun, then published separately in the morning and evening as The Sun and The Evening Sun, covered America’s efforts in WWI on its front pages until the war’s conclusion in November of 1918.

The Ku Klux Klan is the oldest and most well-known hate group in the United States, according to The Washington Post. Though the KKK once boasted a membership of around 4 million, its ranks have dwindled down to around 10,000 or fewer, according to estimates by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

30 years ago Saturday a schooner known as the Pride of Baltimore sank in a storm 240 miles north of Puerto Rico. Four crew members died, including the ship’s captain. The remaining eight survived after floating on a leaky raft for five days until they were rescued by a Norwegian tanker. The ship had been built for the nation’s bicentennial and was constructed from wood, by hand, right on the Inner Harbor. For a city in a time of economic depression, the ship evoked the days of Baltimore’s primacy of the seas. Though questions would be raised later about whether a boar built to historical accuracy should have sailed across the ocean, the Pride of Baltimore traveled around the world as the city’s goodwill ambassador until a sudden, terrible storm brought it down. The news of its sinking shocked and saddened Baltimoreans, including then-Mayor William Schaefer, who was pictured with his hand over his eyes, “a study in grief” as The Sun caption read.

A year after Baltimore saw large-scale protests and a period of rioting, looting and arson following the death of Freddie Gray, there are signs the city has returned to normal. The CVS Pharmacy at the corner of North and Pennsylvania avenues, considered the epicenter of the violence last April 27, has been rebuilt and reopened. The Mary Harvin Senior Center, which was under construction and set ablaze that same night, also was rebuilt and recently celebrated its grand opening.

Crowds at Oriole Park at Camden Yards have returned to greet a new baseball season, though it will be hard to forget the day last year when the home team – due to security concerns the week of the riots – played a game with no fans in attendance.

Still, there are still visual reminders of the violent events of last year, when thousands protested Gray’s death from injuries sustained while in police custody. Some stores, including a DTLR clothing store on Pennsylvania Avenue, which was damaged during the riots, have not reopened. And barricades still remain at the ready in front of the Western District Police station, the district in which Gray was arrested and the area where many of the protests and marches took place.

In 1816, Baltimore became the first city in the United States to install gas street lamps, which allowed Baltimoreans to go about their business past nightfall. In 2016, Light City Baltimore is celebrating Baltimore’s legacy of light with installations and activities throughout the city. We’re opening the Sun’s archives to take a look back at the gas lamps of history — the last were lit in 1957.

More than 3,000 of the trees were planted along Washington D.C.’s tidal basin in 1912, a gift from Japan. Since then Washingtonians have celebrated the annual blooming of the pink blossoms with a parade, and even a beauty pageant.

The photos are in black and white, but be sure that everyone was in green. Take a peek into The Baltimore Sun’s archives, with a selection of photos from St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Baltimore through the decades.

The Korean War ended on July 27, 1953, with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Truce talks had started July 10, 1951, after United States and United Nations forces went to the aid of South Korea who was invaded by North Korea June 25, 1950.

The Korean War, often called the “Forgotten War,” saw some 5.8 million American soldiers, sailors and air force members serve their country. The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. honors their service and sacrifice.

At the time, The Baltimore Sun sent several war correspondents to Korea to cover the war including James M. Cannon and John T. Ward who sent back photos from the front lines. According to the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, 527 Maryland citizens died in hostile action. Their names along with those still listed as missing in action are on Maryland’s Korean War Memorial, located at 2903 Boston Street in Canton.

In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. led several attempts to march from Selma to Montgomery as part of the Selma Voting Rights Movement. The protesters encountered violent opposition from authorities and segregationists. But with federal backing, the demonstrators successfully made the four-day walk, a 50-mile stretch. That year, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, which gave African-Americans the right to vote.

Using the style and language of journalists of the era, including a reference to blacks as “Negroes,” AP reporters captured the tension of the marches.

Fifty years after its original publication, The AP is making available excerpts from a series of stories about the marches’ progress.

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The Darkroom, the photography and video blog of The Baltimore Sun, shines a light on visually captivating stories of our past and present. It showcases the exciting work of our staff, offers tips in the craft, and highlights the emerging community of independent media makers. We want your feedback – please contact us with suggestions and ideas.

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Bob Rhodes: Very interesting read....I have read previously about terrap…